At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy school kitchen and create nutritious meals for students.
- Company: A vibrant primary school in Brent with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Earn up to £18 per hour, enjoy term-time work, and a great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through healthy, delicious meals.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and strong food safety knowledge required.
- Other info: Join a respected team in a well-equipped kitchen with excellent career stability.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 18 £ per hour.
Lead School Chef position available in Brent, London. This is a long-term (temporary) role with a salary of £16 - £18 per hour, depending on experience.
About the School
This is a large, inclusive and high-performing primary school with:
- A substantial pupil roll and busy kitchen operation
- Strong leadership and clear operational systems
- A positive staff culture and supportive senior leadership team
- Excellent facilities and a well-equipped kitchen
- A strong focus on pupil wellbeing, including high standards of school meals
The kitchen is central to the daily life of the school, and the Lead Chef is a respected and valued member of staff.
The Role
You will:
- Lead and manage the day-to-day running of the school kitchen
- Plan and prepare healthy, balanced meals in line with school food standards
- Manage stock control, ordering and supplier relationships
- Oversee kitchen hygiene, food safety and compliance
- Supervise and support kitchen staff
- Ensure meals are delivered efficiently and on time
Working hours are 7:00am - 3:00pm, providing structure and excellent work-life balance.
Requirements
- Experience leading or supervising within a kitchen environment
- Strong understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations
- Ability to manage volume catering in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills
This role requires someone confident, proactive and able to take full responsibility for a large-scale school catering operation.
Salary & Benefits
- ASAP start
- Up to £18 per hour (dependent on experience)
- Term-time position
- Supportive and professional school environment
- Stable, long-term opportunity
If you are an experienced School Lead Chef with a strong background in school catering and are available for an immediate start, please contact Paige Ferro at SANZA Teaching Agency today.
Lead School Chef in London employer: SANZA Teaching Agency
Contact Detail:
SANZA Teaching Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead School Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the culinary world, especially those who have experience in school catering. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a small cooking demo or share some of your best recipes on social media. This not only showcases your culinary talents but also gets you noticed by potential employers looking for a Lead School Chef.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and their approach to food. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around pupil wellbeing and high-quality meals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities, and applying directly can give you a better chance of landing that Lead School Chef role. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead School Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in leading a kitchen. We want to see how you've managed teams and delivered quality meals in a busy environment. Use specific examples to really make your application stand out!
Keep It Relevant: Tailor your application to the role of Lead School Chef. Focus on your understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations, as well as your ability to manage volume catering. We love it when candidates connect their skills directly to what we're looking for!
Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone confident and proactive, so show us who you are! A bit of your unique flair can make a big difference.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of success. We’ve got a dedicated team ready to support you throughout the process, and applying directly helps us keep everything organised. Let’s get your application rolling!
How to prepare for a job interview at SANZA Teaching Agency
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of kitchen operations, especially in a school setting. Be ready to discuss how you would manage stock control, supplier relationships, and ensure food safety compliance. This shows you're not just a chef but a leader who understands the bigger picture.
✨Showcase Your Menu Planning Skills
Prepare to talk about how you would plan and prepare healthy, balanced meals that meet school food standards. Bring examples of menus you've created in the past and be ready to explain your thought process behind them. This will demonstrate your creativity and commitment to pupil wellbeing.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Experience
Since this role requires strong leadership skills, think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team in a kitchen environment. Discuss how you motivate staff, handle conflicts, and ensure everyone is working efficiently. This will show that you can take full responsibility for the kitchen operation.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with questions about the school's culture, their approach to pupil wellbeing, and how they support their kitchen staff. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the school is the right fit for you.